Honesty About Renting With Pets Pole

How honest would you be about family pets (cats and fish) when renting a house?

I'm the sort to be very upfront and honest about everything. "Hi, I know the house is listed as no pets, but we've just got two cats and a fishtank. Is there any way we can apply to rent the house?"

And I'm getting told NOPE left and right. The rental houses are flying and they don't need to accommodate a family with pets when there are plenty of folks without them trying to rent.

Background: the house we've been renting for the last 13 months is being sold. We're trying to finagle its purchase, but it likely won't work out (and that's probably a good thing). So, we have to move out by early August.

I'm being told by multiple people to just not tell the landlords that we have cats.

Is this a thing? Am I pearl clutching about being honest?

ETA: We currently have a deposit down already on a new place that DOES allow pets, but the location isn't ideal.

Small, counter top like fish tanks (like a gallon) meh. Cats and/or a big aquarium, I wouldn’t lie. Both can cause damage. If/when the landlord needs to access the property you’re going to be shuffling animals to hide them (I’d imagine). In these no pet places, could you offer to work out a significant pet deposit?

Have you considered offering them a pet deposit or paying slightly higher rent monthly?

We have a small dog and when we were looking to rent the house we wanted was no pets. We talked with them, explained our dog was small and fully house trained. That we were willing to pay a pet deposit and they accepted.

I mean.. I wouldn’t but I’m not sure what else you’re supposed to do besides get rid of your pets if you can’t find anywhere to rent. Would rehoming your cats be an option? Also do fish really count? They can’t exactly do any damage, right? I hope you figure it out!

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Married March 2013, Angel Baby - April 2014, DS - March 2015, DD - October 2017

I mean.. I wouldn’t but I’m not sure what else you’re supposed to do be...

Posted
06/14/2018

I mean.. I wouldn’t but I’m not sure what else you’re supposed to do besides get rid of your pets if you can’t find anywhere to rent. Would rehoming your cats be an option? Also do fish really count? They can’t exactly do any damage, right? I hope you figure it out!

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